Cricket stars 'Think Wise'

UNITED NATIONS, New York, (CMC):

The United Nations said yesterday that international cricketers will show their support this week for a UN-backed initiative supporting people living with HIV and AIDS by wearing red ribbons on their playing shirts during matches.

The effort comes as the UN celebrate World AIDS Day on December 1 and is part of the 'Think Wise' initiative, a partnership between the International Cricket Council, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Global Media AIDS Initiative that has been running since 2003.

"The red ribbon that we wear symbolises our support for the cause to help those living with HIV and AIDS to live a full and productive life in society without giving up hope," said Sri Lanka captain and Think Wise Champion, Kumar Sangakkara.

"It is a disease that we should fight by understanding how it spreads and encouraging people to talk about things like sexuality in their homes," added Sangakkara, who will wear a red ribbon along with the rest of his team when Sri Lanka face the West Indies today.

Players taking part in other One-Day Internationals in Bangladesh and India today will also wear red ribbons, while players for England and Australia will wear the ribbons on the first day of the second Ashes Test on December 3, the UN said.

It said the 'Think Wise' campaign will continue through the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, under the theme "Get the Facts, Protect Yourself."

INFORMING young people

The UN said the campaign will encourage young people to be informed, take appropriate action to prevent HIV infection and stand together against stigma and discrimination often facing people living with HIV and AIDS.

Players will wear red ribbons during the important matches of the tournament, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the 2011 CWC.

The UN said the positive results of AIDS awareness campaigns, such as the 'Think Wise' initiative were beginning to bear fruit, with a new UNAIDS report showing the beginnings of a reversal of the spread of HIV.

New HIV infections have fallen by nearly 20 per cent in the last 10 years, AIDS-related deaths are down by nearly 20 per cent in the last five years, and the total number of people living with HIV is stabilising, the report says.